Fiber-reinforced posts in restoring endodontically treated teeth: an update

This lecture will analyze available data and provide a pragmatic and practical - albeit evidence-based - approach to the advantages and limitations of fiber-reinforced resin technology in clinical practice.

Endodontically-treated teeth often display significant coronal destruction and loss of radicular dentin. For many decades, metallic posts have been a standard part of a dentist’s armamentarium for restoring endodontically-treated teeth. There has been a continuous search for the optimal material, design, and physical properties of the endodontic post, and currently available fiber-reinforced resin posts and fiber-reinforced resins present a similarity between their modulus of elasticity and that of dentin possibly seems to lower the risk of failure due to root fracture. The advent of minimally invasive dentistry challenge the need for such posts in restoring endodontically treated teeth. Nevertheless, when needed, an important factor determining the success of luting procedures remains the knowledge and experience of the practitioner in their characteristics, bonding techniques, and the predictability of the clinical technique. This lectures will analyze available data and provide a pragmatic and practical – albeit evidence-based – approach to the advantages and limitations of fiber-reinforced resin technology in clinical practice.